Report: Woman charged in fatal hit-run of DeLand teen found dead

A woman who struck two 14-year-old girls in March near DeLand, killing one, was found dead in her home Monday morning, apparently after committing suicide, a Volusia County sheriff's spokesman said.

A woman who struck two 14-year-old girls in March near DeLand, killing one, was found dead in her home Monday morning, apparently after committing suicide, a Volusia County sheriff's spokesman said. Danielle Halverson, 50, of DeLand was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury and tampering with evidence in connection with the March 17 hit-and-run accident that left 14-year-old Juliana Hobbs dead and 14-year-old Rachel Russell with injuries. Halverson had admitted to Florida Highway Patrol investigators that she hit the girls after losing control of her car while reaching for a cellphone. Halverson was found dead in her South Ridgewood Avenue home Monday morning after deputies made a well-being check, said sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson. A caller said Halverson had been depressed recently and making suicidal statements and he was worried because he had been unable to make contact with her. Deputies and paramedics arrived at the scene, entered the residence and found Halverson in a bedroom, unresponsive and with no pulse. Paramedics began CPR and Halverson was transported by ambulance to Florida Hospital-DeLand, where she was pronounced dead at 11:39 a.m., Davidson said. Davidson said based on the circumstances, lack of injury and a note left by Halverson, the death is being treated as a suicide. “I was told it was an overdose of some sorts,” said Juliana's sister, Courtney Meyer. “I just feel numb right now. It's just a sad ending to a sad story.” — Staff Report